5 IMPORTANT NOTES FOR CARING FOR PREGNANT SOWS TO EFFECTIVELY REDUCE POST-FARROWING LOSSES

The gestation period of sows directly determines the quantity and quality of piglets born, while also greatly affecting the sow’s recovery after farrowing. Without proper management techniques, the post-birth mortality rate can be very high. Therefore, understanding and applying the correct sow care practices is the “golden key” to optimizing productivity, protecting investment capital, and increasing livestock farming profits.

This article shares 5 important notes for caring for pregnant sows to help reduce post-farrowing losses, ensuring healthy piglets, abundant milk production, and easier farrowing.

1. Control the Sow’s Body Condition Score (BCS)

Controlling the body condition of pregnant sows is one of the most important factors throughout gestation. The ideal Body Condition Score (BCS) for sows should be maintained at around 3/5 (straight back, neither too thin nor excessively fat).

• If the sow is too thin: Fetuses may develop poorly, piglets will be born underweight, the sow may produce less milk after birth, and neonatal mortality rates will increase.

• If the sow is too fat: The sow is more likely to experience difficult labor, prolonged farrowing, increased risk of crushing piglets, reduced feed intake after farrowing, and serious health issues such as metritis or mastitis.

2. Provide Proper Nutrition According to Each Stage of Pregnancy

The nutritional requirements of pregnant sows continuously change throughout gestation. Dividing feeding programs by stage is a golden key among the 5 important notes for caring for pregnant sows to reduce post-farrowing losses.

Early Gestation Stage (Day 0 to Day 84)

Goal: Maintain embryo stability without causing excessive weight gain.

Feeding program: Feed moderately, maintain protein levels at 13%–15%, and avoid excessive dietary energy.

Late Gestation Stage (Day 85 Until Farrowing)

This is the period when fetuses develop rapidly, accounting for approximately 70% of total fetal growth during pregnancy.

Nutritional focus:
High-quality protein, lysine, calcium-phosphorus, Vitamins A-D-E, and essential minerals such as zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and iron (Fe).

Consequences of deficiency:
Nutritional deficiencies during late gestation can lead to underweight piglets, weak newborns, and reduced ability to consume colostrum.

3. Vaccination and Deworming at the Right Time

To provide comprehensive protection for both the sow and piglets after birth, vaccination schedules and parasite control programs must be strictly followed.

• Vaccination: Depending on farm disease conditions, pregnant sows are commonly vaccinated against diseases such as E. coli, Clostridium, Parvo, Lepto, PRRS, and Classical Swine Fever approximately 2–4 weeks before farrowing. This helps piglets receive maximum passive immunity through colostrum.

• Deworming: This should be carried out around 10–14 days before farrowing to reduce nutrient loss in the sow and minimize the risk of parasite transmission to piglets after birth.

4. Allow Appropriate Exercise for Pregnant Sows

Many farms keep pregnant sows confined in narrow stalls, which can be harmful. Sows that are completely confined are more likely to suffer from constipation and muscle weakness, leading to difficult labor and reduced endurance during farrowing.

Solution: Allow sows to exercise lightly for about 20–30 minutes per day.

Benefits: Proper exercise improves blood circulation, reduces constipation, increases uterine muscle tone, and supports smoother and faster farrowing while reducing the risk of stillbirths caused by oxygen deprivation.

5. Prepare an Optimal Farrowing Environment

The final but equally important note is preparing a safe and hygienic farrowing environment:

• Clean and disinfect farrowing pens 5–7 days before moving sows in.

• Ensure the barn is cool in summer and warm in winter (avoid direct drafts).

• Prepare all necessary farrowing equipment such as drying powder, anti-inflammatory antibiotics for sows, umbilical cord clamps, and heat lamps for piglets.